Riverday 2013: From Burning River to Earning River

26 Events at 16 Locations

Published: May 10, 2013 12:23PM

Cleveland and Akron, OH - Friends of the Crooked River announce the line-up of events for the 23nd Annual RiverDay to be May 19.

RiverDay aims to raise awareness among everyday citizens concerning the important role that a “free-flowing” Cuyahoga River plays in their everyday lives and to highlight the need to continue the improvement of its water quality. RiverDay 2013 will feature 26 events at 16 locations across Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage and Geauga Counties--cleanups, habitat restorations, watercraft excursions, hikes, a free concert and art exhibitions. These events highlight the numerous recreational, cultural and historic natural resources of our American Heritage River. Almost all events are free, although some require reservations. A detailed list of all the RiverDay 2013 events is available at www.cuyahogariver.net/riverday.

A clean, free-flowing River has many benefits, even economic ones. The City of Kent has transformed itself. It all began with modifying its dam and beautifying its River. The vibrant Brust Park in Munroe Falls, once the isolated site of a useless dam, now attracts thousands of visitors each who can hop onto the Hike & Bike Trail or paddle the developing Cuyahoga River Water Trail. By removing dams and developing parks, the City of Cuyahoga Falls is reclaiming its historic role as a premier riverfront destination. The events of RiverDay 2013 will demonstrate that clean water is improving the region’s economics, here and now. These benefits are but a hint of what dreams may come if we continue the work of removing dams and improving water quality. On May 18, thousands of our watershed’s citizens will gather at the River to learn about the River’s gifts and enjoy its recreational beauty.

Friends of the Crooked River was formed in 1989 in order to give the 100-mile length of the Cuyahoga River a voice. We are, in one sense, the mouth of the Cuyahoga. Our purpose is to educate the residents of Northeast Ohio about the value of this important watershed, as well as to initiate and support efforts to improve the water quality of the Cuyahoga. Friends of the Crooked River is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization. We also offer a schedule of outings on the River with guides Elaine and Harold Marsh in order to experience the river firsthand.

2013 RIVERDAY EVENTS
26 Events at 16 Locations
All events on May 18 unless noted otherwise
All events are free unless a fee is noted

Locations 1 – 7 Held in Cuyahoga County

1. May 11 EUCLID CREEK INVASIVE PLANT PULL EVENT & BIOSWALE GARDEN MAINTENANCE
9:00 AM – Noon
Meet at the Marina parking lot to learn about the Bioswale and to help Friends of Euclid Creek with weeding and trash removal.
10:00 AM - Noon
Meet at the Park Entrance parking lot to learn about Garlic Mustard, a rapidly spreading invasive plant and help with its removal.
Meet: Wildwood State Park, Cleveland – located at E. 174th Street and Lakeshore Boulevard, 44101
Contact: Claire Posius, cposius@cuyahogaswcd.org or 216-524-6580 x16 or www.cuyahogaswcd.org
Sponsored by the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga SWCD, Friends of Euclid Creek, and ODNR-Wildwood State Park

2. MIGRATION BIRD WALKS AT CLEVELAND LAKEFRONT NATURE PRESERVE
Walks begin at 7:30 AM; 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM
Join guided bird walks along a one-mile trail through our lakefront preserve. Greet our colorful feathered friends as they rest up before their long journey across Lake Erie. Walks led by knowledgeable birders. Rain or shine. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Meet: Cleveland Lakefront State Park. 8701 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland 44102
Contact: Elaine Marsh at 330-666-4026 or ohgreenway@gmail.com or www.cuyahogariver.net
Sponsored by Friends of the Crooked River and the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority

3. HISTORY WALK ON WHISKEY ISLAND
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Enjoy the beauty of that special place where the Cuyahoga meets Lake Erie. Experience the calmness of a Spring morning and learn about the fascinating history of this place. See historic photos and hear about the struggle led by Ed Hauser to save this green space from becoming a gravel dock.
Meet: Wendy Park sign, far side of parking lot, 2800 Whiskey Island, Cleveland 44102
Contact: John Kaminski at 440-666-1674 or riverkeeper@wideopenwest.com or www.cuyahogariver.net
Sponsored by Friends of the Crooked River

5. RIVERDAY CONCERT NEAR CLEVELAND’S TALLEST WATERFALL
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Cap your RiverDay with live, classic American folk music, at historic Mill Creek Falls. Mill Creek is a tributary of the Cuyahoga River and the historic site of Cleveland's first sawmill, gristmill and stone quarry, built c.1799. It is a Cleveland Metroparks facility. Bring lawn chairs and a camera!
Meet: Mill Creek Falls, 8404 Webb Terrace, Cleveland 44105
Contact: 216-469-4806 or http://www.livecleveland.org/content/broadway-public-art
Sponsored by Broadway Public Art

6. WEST CREEK: STORM SURGE CLEAN UP
9:00 AM - Noon
Help remove and recycle the floatables from our West Creek floodplains. We will be cleaning a 1 – 2 mile section of the floodplain on-and-off trail. Pitch in for an hour, two, or more! Groups encouraged to register in advance. Be sure to dress for the weather and muddy conditions. Bring work gloves if you have them; vinyl gloves can be provided to you.
Meet: Watershed Stewardship Center parking lot, 2277 W. Ridgewood Dr., Parma 44134
Register and Contact: 440-887-1968 or http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com or www.westcreek.org
Sponsored by Cleveland Metroparks and West Creek Conservancy

Locations 7 – 13 Held in Summit County

7. CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK CLEAN-UP
10:00 AM - Noon and
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Volunteers needed to plant trees and remove trash within the Cuyahoga River watershed. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots, and work gloves. This annual event provides the opportunity to celebrate, protect, and restore our National Heritage River —the Cuyahoga.
Family- friendly projects for ages 7 and older.
Meet: Location available upon registration
Register and Contact: The volunteer office at 330-657-2299 or volunteer@forcvnp.org
Presented by the National Park Service and the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

8. CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK RIVERDAY ACTIVITIES
a. Junior Ranger: Rambling Along the River
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Kids ages 7 – 12 can become water quality scientists. Take a hike along the Towpath Trail; put on goggles and gloves and test the Cuyahoga’s water. Complete 3 Junior Ranger Activities and earn a patch. (See Page 14 CVNP Spring Schedule of Events)
Meet: Location given upon registration
Register or Contact: 800-642-3297 ext. 100
Presented by the National Park Service

b. Water Quality Testing
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Stop by to chat with a ranger about how we test and monitor the Cuyahoga River.
Meet: Boston Store Visitor Center, 1548 Boston Mills Rd., Peninsula 44264
Contact: 330-657-2752
Presented by the National Park Service

9. RIVERDAY: ART & MUSIC IN PENINSULA
Peninsula is a great Cuyahoga River town. Take time to stroll down historic Main Street or watch the river roll by or participate in nearby events:

a. Peninsula Art Academy
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Watershed art enthusiasts are invited to share the opening of our 2013 membership show, *Ebb and Flow*, an exhibition of original works by artists working in several different media. Greet artists working in the Cuyahoga watershed. The show runs May 18th – June 22nd.
Meet: 1600 Mill St. West, Peninsula 44264
Contact: 330-657-2248 or info@peninsulaartacademy.com
Sponsored by Peninsula Art Academy

9d. RIVERDAY’S END NIGHT BIKE RIDE
8:00 PM - Finish
End RiverDay and improve your night vision, join Century Cycles and fellow bicyclists with a night bike ride on the Towpath Trail along the River. All skill levels are welcome. Rides are 12 to 15 miles long, depending on participant desires, and take 1 ½ - 2 ½ hours. You must have your own bicycle, helmet, and headlight. Optional post-ride outing to Winking Lizard.
Meet: Century Cycles, 1621 Main St., Peninsula; Parking, at the Lock 29 Trailhead, 1650 Mill St. West, Peninsula 44264
Contact: 330-657-2209 or info@centurycycles.com or www.centurycycles.com/for/NightRides
Sponsored by Century Cycles

10. RIVERDAY AT CASCADE VILLAGE
10:00 AM - Noon
Learn about the Little Cuyahoga and tackle litter on the banks of the river as it passes through Cascade Village in downtown Akron. Work with local university students, residents of Cascade Village and Donna Webb of Cascade Village Public Art. Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear work-boots or old shoes. Long sleeves, slacks and work-gloves recommended. Trash bags provided. Children under 18 must have adult supervision. Pre-registration required for groups.
Meet: Cascade Village Community Center, 210 E. North Street, Akron 44304
Bus Transit: 112 Elizabeth Pkwy, Route 34, Cascade Valley Uhler http://www.akronmetro.org
Contact: Donna Webb at dwebb@uakron.edu or 330-414-4954 or Cascade Village 330-253-9484
Sponsored by Cascade Village Public Art, The University of Akron

12. 2013 CITY OF CUYAHOGA FALLS GREAT AMERICAN
RIVERDAY CLEANUP & BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Volunteers are needed to help clean up litter and debris along the Cuyahoga River and on public grounds throughout the community, plant flowers at park shelters and assist with an invasive plant pull. Trash bags, planting supplies and lunch will be provided. Donations gratefully accepted.
Meet: Location given upon registration
Register or Contact: Becky McCleary 330-971-8201 or mcclearyrm@cityofcf.com or http://cfo.cityofcf.com/web/
Sponsored by the City of Cuyahoga Falls, Keep America Beautiful and State Road
Donato's Pizza

13. MUNROE FALLS – RIVER DAY EVENTS & FESTIVAL
Join one of the many Munroe Falls RiverDay activities.

c. Festival
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Help celebrate and beautify the Cuyahoga River that runs through Munroe Falls with a day of fun, food, and entertainment related to wildlife and the great outdoors! This year we will have tons of entertainment, including live cannon demonstrations, animal appearances from the Lake Erie Science Center, an authentic Shaman river blessing and much, much more! Food provided by commercial vendors.
Meet: Brust Park, 128 North Main (Rt. 91), Munroe Falls 44262, next to the Cuyahoga River.
Contact: Sarah Hegnauer, 330-697-6545 or sarahhegnauer@hotmail.com to request a flyer for the event.
Sponsored by Munroe Falls Park Board

Locations 14 & 15 Held in Portage County

14. KENT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL & KENT PARKS AND RECREATION’S RIVER DAY FESTIVAL
CELEBRATING THE PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE OF OUR WATERSHED
Kent has many options for RiverDay activities. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted:

a. Festival
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join the celebration at Plum Creek Park for a morning of family-centered activities that focus on the past, present and future of the Cuyahoga watershed and will include demonstrations, presentations, children’s art and environmental and historical displays. Experience the Stone Age Indian teepee, a grass loom, rain barrels, tiny aquatic animals and hand-on activities. Learn about recreation and river stewardship opportunities. Help break a world record and raise safety awareness by joining the “Ready, Set, Wear it Ohio” life jacket awareness campaign.
Meet: Plum Creek Park, Cherry St., Kent 44240
Contact: 330-673-8897 or http://www.kentparksandrec.com or www.kentenvironment.org
Sponsored by Kent Environmental Council and Kent Parks and Recreation

c. Kent Community Dinner
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Festivities in Kent will continue with the Kent Community Dinner with live music and a program. Please bring some food to share to this potluck.
Meet: Plum Creek Park, Cherry St., Kent 44240
Contact: 330-678-8760
Organized by All Together Now, Inc.

d. Native American-Led Celebration of the River
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Dusk brings the final event of the day, the Celebration of the River, which gives attendees the chance to join Native Americans as we drum, sing, and dance around a central fire in celebration of the Cuyahoga.
Meet: Plum Creek Park, Cherry St., Kent 44240
Contact: president.nasa.ksu@gmail.com
Coordinated by KSU’s Native American Student Association

14e. MAY 17 KENT PARKS AND RECREATION'S WATERSHED CELEBRATION FOR KENT CITY SCHOOLS
10:00 AM-1:00 PM: Hands on aquatic ecology activities along the Cuyahoga River at Heritage Park for Kent school classes. Kayak demonstration and participation in the "Ready, Set, Wear it Ohio!" awareness day with life jackets.
Meet: Location given upon registration
Register and Contact: 330-673-8897
Sponsored by Kent Environmental Council and Kent Parks and Recreation

16. RIVERSIDE BIRD WALK AT ELDON RUSSELL PARK
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Go for the goal at RiverDay’s upstream outpost in Geauga County: 50 species of migratory birds including sandpipers, vireos, flycatchers, cuckoos, thrushes, orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks, buntings and colorful warblers, including the “Jewel of the Cuyahoga”: the Prothonotary Warbler. Circumstances permitting, we may net and band a Prothonotary and get an in-hand look at this golden beauty. Held rain or shine. No registration required. Banding is weather and warbler dependent.
Meet: Eldon Russell Park, Rapids Rd., Burton 44021
Contact: (440) 279-0883 or dbest@geaugaparkdistrict.org or http://www.geaugaparkdistrict.org
Sponsored by Geauga Park District